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Alfred Nobel’s Mr Alby gave an incredibly tough performance under 55.5kg to win the Amelia Park Handicap (2200m) at Ascot on Perth Cup day.
Mr Alby raced wide without cover and held on to win by 3/4len. in 2.18.50, with three lengths between nine of the 11 runners.
It was his 13th start since July 25 having also won over 1650m Belmont Park mid-week under 58.5kg, over 1700m Belmont Park mid-week under 58kg and over 1800m at Ascot, also under 55.5kg.
The half-brother to Balmont Girl, winner of the Group 3 WA Oaks and Asian Beau Stakes and Listed Natasha Stakes and twice placed in the Group 1 Railway Stakes, is raced by his breeder, Mr Cooni Chua, a long-time Lynward Park supporter (Balmont Girl is by Lynward Park’s former stallion, Balmont).
Mr Alby put the writing on the wall with a brave fourth to class performers Mississippi Delta, Action and Cappo D’Oro in the Listed 2200m ATA Stakes a week earlier – and the success drew rave reviews.
Said race caller Darren McCauley: ‘He was turned out in magnificent order and raced accordingly. It was a tough, brave victory.’
Said jockey Shaun O’Donnell: ‘We got no favours early. So I kept him quiet as possible moving forward, moving forward till we got outside the leaders. He relaxed and at the 500m I still had a lot of horse. We all know how tough and tenacious he is.’
And said trainer Paula Wagg: ‘ I’m so proud of him. I couldn’t even look half-way through the race. I thought – what is he doing out there? But he toughed it out. We were headed towards the Perth Cup but I was happy to go into this race where he had a really good chance. He’s a picture of fitness and is thriving. He’s overcome serious injury and come back a much better horse. There’s always next year’s Perth Cup.’
Alfred Nobel’s Winning Supreme also continued his good form taking the Sa Po Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin in Hong Kong the follow day.
Alfred Nobel’s international success continued when Wheao won the Pike Racing Maiden (2000m) at Matamata in New Zealand three days later. Wheao, from the Pricelessly mare Miss Whirl, is a half-brother to the Hong Kong Listed winner Go Baby Go.